Scale



Oct. 8, 1946. D, A ME'EKER ET AL 2,408,942

SCALE Original Filed July 8,' 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 8, 1946. n. A.'MEEKER Erm.

SCALE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nl l In venors mm; @Q

Original Filed July 8, 1938 D. A. MEEKER E TAL 2,408,942

SCALE original Filed July e, 195s 4 sheets-sheet 5 In vanorai od. s,1946.- D. A. MEEKER mL 2,408,942A

S CALE Original Filed July 8, 1938 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 8,1946 UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE SCALE of Ohio Original applicationJuly 8, 1938, Serial No. 218,240. Divided and this application June 29,1942, Serial No. 448,964

6 Claims.

This invention relates to scales, and more particularly to scales of thecomputing type.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a scaleconstruction having an outer decorative casing which may be readilyremoved without affecting the adjustment or setting of the scale, andwhich effectively seals the scale when in place to prevent access ofdust or foreign matter thereto.

It is a further object to provide a simple and effective constructionfor a sign or advertising display device capable of being changedreadily by the user of the scale to display advertising material asdesired.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claim.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View from the clerk's side showing a scaleconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View within the casing and looking towardthe mechanism of the scale, with portions being broken to show theconstruction more clearly;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view within the outer casing, and showingthe operating mechanism of the scale;

Fig. 4 is a plan View with the platter removed and with portions beingbroken away to show construction of the sealing means for securing aneffective sealing of the outer casing with respect to the scale frame;

Fig. 5 is a detail plan vew showing the sign frame device; n

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 'I-l of Fig. 2, showingthe means for fastening the case to the frame of the scale;

Fig. 8 is a View showing the construction of the platter supportingmember which provides for sealing the interior of the scale, the platterbeing in raised or substantially no-load position; and

Fig. 9 is a View showing a modified construction of such sealing means.

This application is a division of parent application 218,240 led July 8,1938, now Patent No. 2,287,814, issued June 30, 1942.

Referring to the drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of theinvention, there is shown at I0 a base casting preferably integral andimpervious, of generally rectangular shape.

vA plurality of adjustable feet II are positioned beneath the base,having friction pads I2 and being suitably adjustable individually toprovide for leveling the scale upon the surface on which it rests.

A skeleton framework comprising two end members I4 is bolted to andextends upwardly from adjacent each end of the base I0, both the frameand the base being suitably formed of a lightweight casting and providedwith strengthening ribs where desired to impart additional strength. Asshown in Fig. 2 at the right-hand end of the scale the frame end memberI4 is formed with an outwardly projecting flange IIIa above the lever,but is offset inwardly with an inwardly projecting flange Ib where itextends between the chart and the lever, thus providing proper strengthwhile reducing the longitudinal dimension of the scale. A cross memberI5 is fastened to the top of the two end members I4, and may suitablycomprise a stamping which is bolted to the upper ends of members I4,thereby providing a rm framework Vsupport for receiving the scaleoperating parts.

An outer decorative enameled shell or casing I6 is shaped to conformgenerally with the frame member, and is adapted to be fitted downwardlyover the frame, and into sealing relation with the base. This casingdoes not carry the loads and is not subject to the stresses of thescale, which are carried wholly by the frame. It may be readily placedover the frame and removed therefrom with little possibility of damageto the delicate scale parts being guided by the protecting frame. Thecasing I6 has a central opening at II through which the plattersupporting means is received and mounted, and at its lower edge extendsinto sealing relation with a peripheral flexible strip I8 which isfltted Within a groove within the base member I0. The strip tends toproject horizontally and upon lowering of the casing into position uponthe frame, the lower edge of the casing contacts the flexible strip,bending it downwardly, thereby establishing a highly effective sealingContact around the entire lower periphery of the scale to effectivelyprevent access of dust, insects or other foreign particles thereto. Thecasing is fastened to the frame member i5 by means of a pair of screws20 which are received within an upwardly projecting threaded part 2|fastened to the Vframe member I5 as by welding or the like. Screw 20 hasa tapered head, which receives a flanged washer 22, and a gasket 23adap-ted to -be drawn down into sealing contact with an upwardlylprojecting flange 2lil formed upon the casing member I 6,

Thus when screw 20 is tightened, the casing will be firmly held upon theframe i5, and the attaching means is adequately sealed and protected.

The casing is also formed in its upper part with an opening forreceiving grommet 25 which provides a close internal fit with acylindrical level casing 26, suitably fastened by screws 21 to the framemember I5. Thus the level is not carried by the casing, but is carriedby the frame itself and projects upwardly through the grommet inrelatively close sealing relation so that again access of dust and thelike is prevented, and an effectively sealed condition is maintained inthe scale, the casing as described being readily removable upwardlywithout removal of anyof the operating parts.

The frame I5 is curved downwardly as shown at 30 in line with opening|'l in the casing, to provide for receiving the platter support. An annular ring 3| having an inner upstanding flange 32 is fastened to theframe I5 by means of screws 33, the inner diameter of iiange 32 beingonly slightly in excess of that of the member 34 constituting theplatter support. As shown in Fig. 8 member 34 has a lower circular rib34a of slightly larger diameter than the main body of the support, therib being adapted to closely approach the inner wall of flange 32 in theno-load position of the scale to provide a close seal efiectivelypreventing passage of foreign matter. When a load is placed upon theplatform, mem-- ber 34 moves downwardly, bringing the portion of thebody of lesser diameter opposite fiange 32,

to provide somewhat greater clearance to accommodate the arcuatemovement of member 34, the clearance still being sufficiently close tomaintain an effective sealed relation. The casing I5 is formed with anannular oset portion 35 and between this offset and the member 3| thereis positioned an annular piece of felt or the like 3S which forms a sealbetween the casing and the frame member. This construction, togetherwith the close clearance of the platter support, completes the sealingconstruction 4which provides for maintaining the interior of the scalefree of foreign matter.

The platter is 'shown at 40, as comprising a generally at plate havingan upwardly projecting edge 4| at the customers side of the scale.

The details of the detachable support for the platter, and theconstruction of the lever and its associated weighing and chartactuating mechanism, are described in full in said parent Patent No.2,287,814 and this description is not repeated here.

The charts carry weight indications adapted to be read by the clerk andby the customer, and also carry a series of computed values adapted tobe read only by the clerk. For this purpose a reading plate I I0 isfastened to the frame members |4 and is provided with an opening thereinfor coopera-tion with a series of unit plCe indications ||2 tofacilitate the reading of the f computed values at the unit prices. Areading line ||3 is carried in such position as to be visible throughthe sight opening in relation to the unit price and the computed valuethereof. Momber ||0 is formed as a continuous uninterrupted plateoverlying both halves of the chart, yoke 50 as shown in Fig. 3 passingdownwardly beneath plate ||0.

A magnifying lens is positioned in line with the reading line ||3 andadapted to be used by the clerk in reading the scale and the computedprice valuations. Such magnifying lens is receved within a metal framepiece SEI which is formed Iwith inwardly extending lugs |22 adapted topass through apertures formed in recessed flanges |23 integral withcasing I5. When thus positioned in place, the inner end of the lugs |22is twisted or clamped over, to thereby rmly hold the lens in assembledposition. Suitable sealing compound |24 is positioned beneath theperipheral edge of the frame member |2| and the adjacent face of thecasing, maintaining a tightly sealed construction. Illuminating means|25 are positioned to direct light upon the chart to en able the 'sameto be read, and are controlled by a switch which causes the lights to beturned on whenever a load is placed upon the platform..

On the customers side of the scale the computed valuations are of coursereversed and not in position to be legible and hence are blocked out bysuitable plates making it impossible for them to be seen. However aninverted weight scale adapted to be read by the customer is provided onthe chart and a reading device H3A is provided to enable accurate weightreadings to be made. It is also desired to provide means on thecustomers side adapted to receive an advertising or display device,advertising for instance a special for the day, or any other item towhich particulai` attention is desired to be directed. For this `purposea sheet metal member extends across the width of the scale, being formedwith two openings separated by an integral rib |30A, the part |3|adapted to be in line with the weight readings on the scale chart, toprovide for reading the actual weight of the material upon the platter.The part |32 is of larger extent, and provides for receiving a suitableadvertising display or the like. This construction comprises a Z-shalzedflanged member |33 welded to the adjacent inner face of member |30 andhaving inwardly extending lugs |34 formed thereon and passing throughapertures in the casing part I6. A piece of translucent material |35,such as a frosted or ground glass plate is received within the angles ofthe members |33 and provides for transmitting light from the lightsource |36, while preventing actually seeing through the plate.Preferably the plate |35 extends beneath both parts |3I and |32, onlythat portion underlying part |32 being frosted, the remainder beingclear. Anvouter flanged member |3l formed integrally with member |33 isformed with an overhanging lip |38 spaced above the outer surface of theplate |35, leaving a narrow elongated slot therein. Within this Slotthere is Slidable the right angularly bent retaining frame |40, to theunderside of which are Welded longitudinally extending flat springmembers |4| which act to yieldingly retain the frame in proper positionwhile providing for sliding of the frame longitudinally of the slot, toposition and remove the same therefrom. Suitable sealing material |42forms a sealed connection between the body of the casing and the signassembly. A glass plate |43 is carried by the frame |40.

In the use of the scale, the frame is withdrawn and any desiredlettering applied to the glass plate |43 carried thereby. The frame isthen replaced in the holder and thus forms a readily changeable signwhich may indicate the special for that particular day. Each time thescale is used, illumination of this sign as well as of the adjacentweight reading is effected, and the sign thus stands out clearly,arresting the attention of the customer. A single glass plate |43 isshown 'which is adapted to directly receive the lettering in removablepaint; if desired however this may take the form of a pair of relativelythin transparent plates between which is received a paper or like stripcontaining the lettering desired. In such latter case these paper stripsmay be printed for different products and in different colors, forming ahighly attractive advertising device for use in connection with thescale.

Fig. 9 shows a modified construction for sealing the interior of thescale against the access of foreign matter. In this construction theframe is shown at |50, a casing at |5| and a platter supporting memberat |52 having a main body portion and a lower circular rib |53 ofslightly greater diameter than the body portion. The frame |511 has aseries of enlarged apertures |54 therethrough through which extend studs|55 adjustably clamped in place thereon by lock nuts |55. The stud isinternally threaded to receive fastening screw |51 which holds anannular flange |58 in place through spring washers |59. The flange isformed with an upwardly offset portion |60 adapted to overlie rib |53 sothat in the no load position of the platform, rib |53 Will establishclose sealing engagement with po-rtion |50, approaching closely thoughpreferably not actually contacting therewith. Should the platter supportrise above its no load position, causing rib |53 to strike portion |60,the resilient spring members |59 yield to avoid any deleterious shock tothe scale mechanism. In the weighing positions, the scale is effectivelysealed, with proper clearance being provided for movement. Theconstruction described provides for accurately positioning the flangedmember in proper operating position both laterally and vertically. Feltwasher means |5| provides for sealing the outer casing and the framemember to each otherl While the form of apparatus herein describedconstitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to this precise form ofapparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing fromthe scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a scale of the character described having a frame in which thereis rotatably supported a drum chart and with an outer casing overlyingsaid frame and said chart and having means for effectively sealing theinterior` of the scale against access oidust and foreign matter thereto,the casing being provided with a longitudinally extending opening at oneside thereof, the combination of a light transmitting member overlyingsaid opening in the casing, part of said member being translucent andpart thereof being transparent to provide for viewing a scale on saiddrum chart, means for mounting said light transmitting member in iiXedposition in said casing opening. means for sealing said member inposition on said casing opening preventing passage of air and dusttherethrough, means for illuminating the surface beneath said lighttransmitting member, a display member, and means on the outside of saidcasing for removably receiving said display member in position overlyingsaid opening and said translucent part of the light transmitting memberwhile maintaining the entire interior of said scale effectively sealedwhen said display member is removed.

2, In a scale of the character described having a frame in which thereis rotatably supported a drum chart and with an outer casing overlyingthe frame and having means for effectively seaiing the interior of thescale against access of dust and foreign matter thereto, the casingbeing provided vvith a longitudinally extending opening at one sidethereof, the combination of a light transmitting member overlying saidopening in the casing, part of said member being translucent and partthereof being transparent to provide for viewing a scale on said drumchart, means for sealing said light transmitting member in fixedposition in said casing opening, means on the inside of said casing forilluminating the chart beneath the entire area of said lighttransmitting member, a display member, and means on the outside of saidcasing for removably receiving said display member in position overlyingthe translucent part of said light transmitting member while maintainingthe entire interior of said scale eifectively sealed.

3. In a scale of the character described having a frame in which thereis rotatably supported a drum chart and with an outer casing overlyingthe frame and having means for effectively sealing the interior of thescale against access of dust and foreign matter thereto, the casingbeing provided with a longitudinally extending opening at one sidethereof, the combination of a light transmitting member overlying saidopening in the easing, means for sealing said light transmitting memberin xed position in said casing opening, means for illuminating the chartbeneath the entire area of said light transmitting member, a displaymember including a slide frame and a glass plate adapted to receivedisplay material thereon, and means on the outside of said casing forremovably receiving said display member inv position overlying saidlight transmitting member while maintaining the interior of said casingeffectively sealed when said display member is removed.

4. In a scale of the character described having a frame in which thereis rotatably supported a drum chart and with an outer casingy overlyingthe frame and having means for effectively sealing the interior of thescale against access of dust and foreign matter thereto, the casingbeing provided with a longitudinally extending opening at one sidethereof, the combination oi a light transmitting member overlying saidopening in the casing, means for sealing said light transmitting memberin fixed position in said casing opening, means for illuminating thechart beneath said light transmitting member, a display member includinga frame and a plate carried thereby adapted to receive display material,resilient means on said display frame, guide means on the outside ofsaid casing for removably receiving said display frame in positionoverlying said opening while maintaining the interior of said casingeffectively sealed when said display member is removed, said resilientmeans providing for retaining the frame in assembled position againstmovement While providing for ready withdrawal thereof.

5. In a, scale of the character described having a frame in which thereis rotatably supported a drum chart and with an outer casing overlyingthe frame and having means for effectively sealing the interior of thescale against access of dust and foreign matter thereto, the casingbeing provided with a longitudinally extending opening at one sidethereof, the combination of a light transmitting member overlying saidopening in the casing, means for sealing said light transmitting memberin fixed position in said casing opening, means for lluminating thechart beneath said light transmitting member, a display member includinga retaining frame, a plate for receiving display material carried bysaid frame, guide means on the exterior of said casing and adjacent saidopening for slidably receiving said frame to position said displaymember in overlying relation with respect to said opening whilemaintaining the interior of said casing eiectively sealed when saiddisplay member is removed, and flexible means effective between saidframe and said guide for yieldablxr retaining said frame in assembledposition.

6. In a scale of the character described having a frame in which thereis rotatably supported a drum chart and with an outer casing overlyingthe frame and having means for effectively sealing the interior of thescale against access of dust and foreign matter thereto, the casingbeing provided with a longitudinally extending opening at one sidethereof, the combination of a light transmitting member overlying saidopening in the casing, means for sealing said light transmitting memberin fixed position in said casing opening, means for illuminating thechart beneath the entire area of said light transmitting member, adisplay member including a retaining frame, a, plate for receivingdisplay material carried by said frame, guide means on the exterior ofsaid casing and adjacent said opening for slidably receiving said frameto position said display member in overlying relation with respect tosaid opening while maintaining the interior of said casing effectivelysealed when said display member is removed, and resilient means in theform of elongated ftat spring members carried by the inner side of saidframe and adapted to bear against the outer surface of said lighttransmitting member for yieldably retaining said frame in positionwithin said guides while providing for ready Withdrawal thereof.

DAVID A. MEEKER. KENNETH C. ALLEN.

